Describing Words

What is a describing word?

A describing word can either be an adjective or an adverb. Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns. Adverbs describe verbs. Describing words give us more information about people and places and make our writing more interesting. When used correctly, these words can help improve your grammar and make your writing more descriptive.

Adjectives

Adjectives are describing words that tell more about nouns and pronouns. A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun. Adjectives answer the following questions:

What kind?

Which one?

How many?

Here are some adjective examples:

What Kind?

the tall man

the mean officer

a solid ice cube

a great vacation

a five-year-old child

an unhappy woman

a cute puppy

a clean window

a full glass

a large television

a bright star

a spotless room

the blue crayon

the large box

the fancy car

the brown tiles

the dirty clothes

the comfortable chair

the tasty candy

the blond-headed boy

the smart girl

Which One?

That machine

This notebook

Those girls

These eggs

That giraffe

This controller

Those socks

These shirts

That dish

This food

Those baskets

These glasses

That airplane

This ornament

Those earrings

How Many?

Some pillows

Few dollars

Three pencils

Many books

Several years

Fifteen minutes

Four shirts

Fourteen cents

Dozen eggs

Two shoes

Thousand reasons

Ten fingers

Five hours

Twelve days

Nine candles

One picture

Eighteen miles

Six inches

Comparing Adjectives

When two or more objects are being compared, there are two types of adjectives used to describe their relationship. These two types of describing words are called comparative and superlative.

Comparative describing words compare only two subjects. The word than is usually used with comparative adjectives. The suffix –er is usually on the end of comparative adjectives. Sometimes the suffix –ier is used when a two-syllable adjective ends in the letter y. Otherwise we use the word more. Here are some examples:

Josie is richer than Gladys

My daughter is more talented than yours

Beau is taller than Tessa

This question is more difficult than that one

Kate is prettier than Margaret

I am more interesting than you

Superlative describing words compare more than two subjects. The word the usually precedes superlative adjectives. The suffix –est is usually on the end of superlative adjectives. Sometimes the suffix –ier is used when the two-syllable adjective ends in the letter y. Otherwise we used the word most. Here are some examples:

Snowball is the prettiest cat in town

My daughter is the most beautiful child

My mom is the smartest woman alive

This is the most impossible task

This is the best movie I have ever seen

Peas are the most disgusting food

Describing Proper Nouns

Some describing words are related to proper nouns. They should be capitalized. Here are some examples:

Christian music

French toast

Irish pub

English class

Gothic style

Canadian government

Spanish architecture

American food

Japanese robes

Greek art

Victorian decor

African dance

Chinese restaurant

Baptist preacher

Russian caviar

Adverbs

Adverbs are describing words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. (Verbs are words that show action. Adverbs usually end in the letters –ly. Adverbs answer the following questions:

When?

Where?

How?

To What Extent?

Here are some adverb examples:

When?

Now

Later

Frequently

Soon

Often

Lately

Rarely

Suddenly

Never

Sometimes

Then

Abruptly

Afterwhile

Always

Daily

Endlessly

Eternally

First

Last

Early

Yesterday

Tomorrow

Today

Regularly

Monthly

Usually

Where?

Here

There

Somewhere

Out

Everywhere

In

Inside

Outside

Upstairs

Downstairs

How?

Slowly

Together

Quietly

Uneasily

Loudly

Kindly

Quickly

Weirdly

Willfully

Firmly

Delightfully

Cheerfully

Lightly

Delicately

Wearily

Expertly

Sorrowfully

Beautifully

Truthfully

Randomly

Brutally

Briskly

Sloppily

Wickedly

Consequently

Subtly

Gracefully

Rudely

Softly

Sneakily

Ardently

Vigorously

To What Extent?

Quite

Really

Very

Too

Almost

Also

Only

Enough

So

Rather

Adverbs are describing words that can tell more about adjectives. Here are some examples:

The child had a really bad attitude.

We had a wonderfully amazing time on our vacation.

You are quite right.

Adverbs can even describe other adverbs. Here is an example:

She spoke very quietly.

Adverbs can appear virtually anywhere in a sentence. There is really no particular rule about their placement. Here are some examples:

She really doesn’t care what she eats for dinner.

He literally ruined his new suit in the rain.

The boy simply didn’t understand the rules of the game.

Sadly, she lost all of her money.

I ate heartily at the Thai buffet.

I so want a new automobile.

The boss almost hired me for the job, but he changed his mind at the last minute.

My mother mildly disapproved of my behavior.

Using Describing Words in Writing

Describing words add information to your writing. It is important to learn how to use them effectively. It’s not good to use too many describing words in your writing. Most of your writing should consist of nouns and verbs (action words). Good writing shows the readers what you’re trying to say instead of simply telling them.

One Response

Natasha

Thank you for this site and this page in particular. I’ve struggled with figuring out what adjectives etc. are. You’ve given the simplest description I’ve found. For the first time since learning it in school, I finally get it. Thank you